El Niño.
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Two words that strike fear into the hearts of gardeners around the world.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a 70 per cent likelihood of El Niño in Australia for the summer of 2014 and 2015.
This could mean a very long, dry and hot season.
Victa and horticulturalist Adam Woodhams, said making efforts to adapt the garden can pay dividends, but the time to start is now.
"After an unseasonably warm and dry winter, lawns and gardens are in need of some extra special attention to ensure they are set up to withstand high temperatures and low rainfall," Mr Woodhams said.
"Gardeners will need to adopt some simple, sustainable gardening practices.
"Keep an eye on your garden for signs of stress and understand that some more traditional plants will not survive hot, dry conditions.
"Some plants are less thirsty than others, many natives are always a good bet as they have adapted to Australia’s harsh conditions over thousands of years.
"As a bonus, many flower beautifully and attract and feed native wildlife."
Garden care tips:
- Water slowly and for a longer time.
- Ensure plants recieve plenty of water.
- Install a sub-soil or sub-mulch drip-line watering system and connect it to a computerised timer set to turn on a couple of times a week in the early morning.
- A healthy, well fertilised garden has a better chance of withstanding the heat.
- After fertilising, apply fresh mulch to all garden areas and pots. Mulch provides a permeable barrier that helps to retain moisture in the soil and prevents erosion by water and wind, reducing weed growth and keeping plant roots insulated from hot weather.
- Weeds can take-off very quickly in warm weather, so make sure any that pop-up are removed before they flower and set seed.
- Grow water-hungry plants in pots near the house, so watering needs are easily spotted.
- Spring is a great time for planting, with nurseries full of new plants. To give plants the best chance of success, soak them in a bucket of water while digging the hole to at least twice as wide as the pot size. Improve the soil with composts or manures, position the plant at the same height as it was in the pot and gently backfill the hole with soil before watering in well with seaweed tonic or biofertiliser. Finally, add mulch.
Details: 1800 356 632, victa.com.au.
